Thursday, January 19, 2017

Shaping the First 100 Days

And in a nice bit of timing, the first episode of 100 Days
for Good, a new podcast from Independent Sector, reinforces that message.

The first #100daysforgood guest is Kyle Lierman, who just
finished clearing his desk in the White House’s Office of Public Engagement,
where he was liaison to Young Americans and coordinated outreach on education issues.

Kyle didn’t share any specific news on his successor (though
I’ve read reports that President elect Trump has recruited
Omarosa Manigault to play a role in community outreach. Manigault worked
for Al Gore in the Clinton administration.) However public engagement is
organized in the new administration, Kyle’s advice to the nonprofit community is
to make sure they get a lot of input on what we feel they should do. He recommends
both digital and in-person advocacy and notes that a great way to do this is
through national associations and groups. (Museums Advocacy Day!!!) Much of
what Kyles says could have been taken directly from the Alliance’s advocacy 101
training: start by building a relationship (it’s harder for political
representatives to say “no” to people they know), and bring in people you are
serving and for whom you do your good work.

Strategically, as we enter the first 100 days of the new
administration, Kyle’s advice to the nonprofit sector is to proactively speak
up for what you think is right. “Be vigilant,” he says, “and go after things in
a big way.”

“It’s on nonprofits and foundations to fill a leadership
void that may occur because of the change in administration. It’s also on them
to catch the inspiration people are feeling right now in their communities, and
channel that positively.”

“Why advocate?” he concludes, “These goals are in our reach,
you just have to show up.

I’m going to follow 100 Days for Good (#100daysforgood) and
recommend you add it to your podcast queue as well. Upcoming episodes will look
at the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act; how executive orders, the
Congressional Review Act and agency directives may impact our collective work;
and the tax reform debate. Stay tuned…